New Rails

[RjMaan]

Congrats on your new rails. Stay blessed sir.

 

[RustedHeroes]

I know it's been a while... Assembly started.
Welding took WAY longer than anticipated.

 

[AllDodge]

Nice work

 

[Welder Dave]

I assume you buffed/sanded the paint off the rails. It's also important to get the right torque on the bolts. The torque turn method is the best way instead of just using an impact wrench.

 

[AllDodge]

Hey with all that welding wonder how your electric bill is going

 

[DMiller]

Would pull them down with an impact alternating pattern then hit with a common low torque to set the shoe, then follow the torque turn method. Always cleaned the rail faces, only tried ONCE to install shoes dirty, that did not end well.

 

[RustedHeroes]

Hey with all that welding wonder how your electric bill is going

Power bill is usually around 275/month, the highest it got up to when I was welding heavy was 317.00.

 

[RustedHeroes]

I assume you buffed/sanded the paint off the rails. It's also important to get the right torque on the bolts. The torque turn method is the best way instead of just using an impact wrench.

I'm curious on the torque turn method, can someone explain in more detail? Also what is the recommended torque for these bolts?
Thanks!

 

[Welder Dave]

Here's the Cat undercarriage guide. 977 is 220ft./lbs +- 40 then an additional 1/3rd turn. You need a paint pen or some type of marker to mark the bolts so you can tell how much 1/3rd of a turn is. See pg. 14 of the guide below. Bolts also should have anti-seize applied.

https://www.barloworld-equipment.com/media/1177918/pegp5027-06.pdf

 

[John C.]

One third of a turn is two flats. Just mark a corner of the bolt head and then a point of the pad two flats ahead where is should stop. 220 foot pounds though seems like a lot for that size. I recall doing 220 on D8 pads.

 

[Welder Dave]

D8 with 1" bolts is 250ft./lbs. +- 50 according to the link I posted.

 

[SpaceDog67]

I know it's been a while... Assembly started.
Welding took WAY longer than anticipated.

Welding sure can take some time indeed. Not in this case but it sure can be decreased. As far as I know, couplings can be connected by mechanical pressing. Well, yeah, a little off-top but a tip for the future. There's also less environmental impact with using the hydraulic pressing system. I used it for building me a little backyard barn. Hope the hydraulic pad connection way will be created by http://hardman-de.com soon enough.

 

[RustedHeroes]

Last one.... Geeeez that didn't take long at all!

Both sides now complete.

 

[Welder Dave]

Just have to cut the ends of the grousers at 45 deg's.

 

[AllDodge]

Just have to cut the ends of the grousers at 45 deg's.

Wonder why, my new pads were not angled. Guess if there are sharp corners, maybe take a grinder to them or run them on some rock for a little bit

 

[Welder Dave]

It makes turning easier but they could get rounded off fairly quick.